What is Fast Package Tracker
Fast Package Tracker is a search engine tool classified as a potentially unwanted application (PUA). According to its name, it provides quicker access to Package Tracking Services and other useful features that can alleviate the whole browsing experience. Of course, all of this would have been great if not one snag: Fast Package Tracker is a browser hijacker that is capable of collecting data based on users’ preferences. The data may vary from simple browsing history to more valuable like passwords and credentials. In fact, this type of software appears on devices without users’ consent leaving them puzzled on how could it inflict their computers. Some people are not even sure whether it is an infection or not, which actually is. Once installed, it immediately changes your homepage consecutively modifying browser settings for tracking purposes. It also assigns search.hfastpackagetracker.net as a default search engine which is 100% useless. It does not have any unique searching algorithms because it simply redirects you to a legitimate Yahoo search engine. Instead, Fast Package Tracker records sensitive data that is transferred to third parties for personal gain. If you are wondering how could it infect your computer and how to remove it then we have prepared full information on that right for you!
How Fast Package Tracker infected your computer
If your browser consistently gets redirected to search.hfastpackagetracker.net then this may be the cause of extensions or programs installed on your computer. Often times, it is not software, but a minor piece that can be promoted through clicking on malvertising ads, visiting suspicious websites or, most popularly, downloading alongside other software. If you download software from untrustworthy and poor-looking websites there is a high probability that it has bundled programs in it. Unfortunately, users got used to the regular installation process, therefore, skipping all of the sections and not reading what they agree with. This is why you should be attentive when installing something from the web, because it may contain the presence of other unwanted software that can infect your system. Fast Package Tracker is a deceptive browser extension that has to be deleted from your computer one jot. You can use the free removal guide below.
Download Removal Tool for Windows
To remove Fast Package Tracker completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5. It can help you remove files, folders and registry keys of Fast Package Tracker and uninstall hijackers, toolbars and unwanted add-ons from the Safari browser. The trial version of Spyhunter 5 offers virus scan and 1-time removal for FREE.
Download Removal Tool for Mac
To remove Fast Package Tracker completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter for Mac. It detects and removes all files, folders and registry keys of Fast Package Tracker and several millions of other adware, hijackers, toolbars.
Remove Fast Package Tracker manually for free
Here is the manual step-by-step tutorial for full Fast Package Tracker removal from your computer. This works 99% and was checked with the latest versions of Fast Package Tracker installer on operating systems with the latest updates and browser versions.
Note: Fast Package Tracker can be installed as Google Chrome extension as Administrator (you may see Installed by enterprise policy inscription near it), and this will not allow removal. Therefore, before starting removal process, perform these actions:
- Start the Command Prompt by clicking the Start menu button and typing command prompt (or just searching for “command prompt” in Windows 10 search field). Right click on the Command Prompt result and choose Run as Administrator.
- Type in and execute the following commands:
rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers"
rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy"
gpupdate /force
Remove Fast Package Tracker from Control Panel
To start removing Fast Package Tracker you should uninstall it using Control Panel. It can be present by different names – for example, “Fast Package Tracker”. It should uninstall correctly, however, we recommend you to use IObit Uninstaller to clean leftover items after uninstalling. Here are instructions for Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8.
Remove Fast Package Tracker from Mac:
- In the Finder sidebar, click Applications.
- Fast Package Tracker might have an Uninstaller.
- Otherwise, drag Fast Package Tracker from the Applications folder to the Trash (located at the end of the Dock).
- Then choose Finder > Empty Trash.
Remove Fast Package Tracker from Windows XP:
- Click on Start button.
- Choose Control Panel.
- Click Add or Remove Programs.
- Find Fast Package Tracker.
- Click Uninstall.
Remove Fast Package Tracker from Windows 7:
- Click Start button.
- Then go to Control Panel.
- Click Uninstall a Program.
- Find Fast Package Tracker and click Uninstall.
Remove Fast Package Tracker from Windows 8:
- Hover mouse pointer to the bottom-right corner to see Menu.
- Click Search.
- After that click Apps.
- Then Control Panel.
- Click Uninstall a Program under Programs.
- Find Fast Package Tracker, click Uninstall.
Remove Fast Package Tracker from Windows 10:
There are 2 ways to uninstall Fast Package Tracker from Windows 10
Way one
- Click on the Start button.
- In opened menu choose Settings.
- Click on the System tile.
- Click Apps & features and locate Fast Package Tracker in the list.
- Click on it and then click Uninstall button near it.
Way two (classic)
- Right-click on the Start button.
- In opened menu choose Programs and Features.
- Locate Fast Package Tracker in the list.
- Click on it and then click Uninstall button above.
Cannot uninstall Fast Package Tracker
In some cases, Fast Package Tracker won’t uninstall and gives you the message, that “You do not have sufficient access to uninstall Fast Package Tracker. Please, contact your system administrator” when you try to remove it from Control Panel or “Access denied” error when removing the Fast Package Tracker folder and files. This happens because the process or service does not allow you to do it. In this case, I will recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 or Malwarebytes or uninstall Fast Package Tracker in Safe Mode. To boot in Safe Mode do the following:
- Reboot your computer.
- While it starts booting press F8 button.
- This will open Advanced Boot Options menu.
- Choose Safe Mode and wait until Windows loads.
- Go to Control Panel > Uninstall a program and remove Fast Package Tracker
>> See detailed instructions and video tutorial on how to boot in Safe Mode
and for Mac:
If you can’t uninstall Fast Package Tracker using instructions above, or it keeps coming back, you can use free AppCleaner for Mac to remove all residual data and libraries of Fast Package Tracker. Follow instructions below:
- Download free AppCleaner.
- Drag Fast Package Tracker from Applications folder to AppCleaner window.
- Choose files and folders you want to remove along with Fast Package Tracker.
- Click Delete button.
Remove malicious add-ons from your browsers
Uninstalling Fast Package Tracker from Control Panel often does not bring the desired effect. It sometimes has browser extension and it may still be active in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Here are instructions on how to remove Fast Package Tracker extension from your browsers manually.
Safari:
- Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
- Click Extensions tab.
- Find Fast Package Tracker extension.
- Click Uninstall button to remove it.
Google Chrome:
- Start Google Chrome browser
- In address box type (or copy-paste)
chrome://extensions
. - Find Fast Package Tracker add-on.
- Click the trash can icon to remove them.
- Also remove other suspicious extensions from the list.
Mozilla Firefox:
- Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
- In address box type (or copy-paste)
about:addons
. - Choose Fast Package Tracker extension.
- Click Disable or Remove button.
- Remove all suspicious extensions from the list.
Internet Explorer (9, 10, 11):
Note: There is no feature to remove browser extensions from browser in latest version of Internet Explorer. To remove Fast Package Tracker from Internet Explorer, please, perform instructions for uninstalling a program from Control Panel. To disable Fast Package Tracker, please, do the following:
- Open Internet Explorer.
- Click on gear/asterisk icon in the top-right corner.
- In opened menu Manage Add-ons.
- Select Toolbars and Extensions.
- Click Disable Fast Package Tracker.
- Also disable other suspicious extensions from the list.
Opera Browser:
Generally, Fast Package Tracker does not install in Opera browser however you can always double check. Do the following:
- Start Opera browser.
- Go to Tools > Extensions > Manage Extensions.
- Find Fast Package Tracker extension.
- Click Uninstall button.
- Also remove other suspicious extensions from the list.
Reset browsers settings (homepage, default search)
Fast Package Tracker installs a search engine (search.hfastpackagetracker.net), that hijacks your browsers. Here is an instruction to reset your browser’s homepage, new tab and search engine to default values.
Reset Safari:
- Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
- Go to the Privacy section of Safari’s preferences.
- Click Remove All Website Data button.
- In opened window click Remove Now button to remove data stored by websites in Safari.
- Go to the Advanced section of Safari’s preferences.
- Click the Show Develop menu in menu bar option.
- In the menu click Develop and select Empty Caches from this menu.
- Again, go to Safari menu and choose Clear History….
- Choose to clear all history and click Clear History button.
Google Chrome:
- Start Google Chrome browser
- In address box type (or copy-paste)
chrome://settings
. - Scroll down and find Show advanced settings link.
- Click on it and scroll down to the bottom again.
- Click Reset browser settings button and click Reset to confirm.
Mozilla Firefox:
- Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
- In address box type (or copy-paste)
about:support
. - Click Reset Firefox… button.
- Click Reset Firefox to confirm.
Internet Explorer (9, 10, 11):
- Start Internet Explorer.
- Click on gear/asterisk icon in the top-right corner.
- In opened menu choose Internet options.
- Click Advanced tab.
- Click Reset button.
- Choose Delete personal settings and click Reset.
Opera Browser:
- Close Opera and open command prompt from the start menu.
- Type following command
del %AppData%\Opera\Opera\operaprefs.ini
- Start Opera.
How to block redirects and pop-ups from Fast Package Tracker
Fast Package Tracker redirects, in most cases, are caused by a program installed on your PC or add-on installed in browsers. However, sometimes it can appear on a clean computer when visiting malicious websites, using an advertising script. Also, apps that generate “Fast Package Tracker” are themselves installed from pop-ups. To protect your PC and browsers from phishing websites, pop-up ads, banners, malicious scripts it is recommended to use AdGuard. Download free trial here:
Alternative way to remove adware browser extensions and reset browser settings
For safe and effective browser extension removal use avast! Browser Cleanup utility. Run it with administrator privileges and remove all extensions with bad rating including related to Fast Package Tracker. You can also reset your browser settings for each of your browsers: Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox.
Cleaning browsers shortcuts
You can clean your browser shortcuts manually right-clicking on your browser icon, choosing “Properties” and removing hijacker address from “Target” field (leave just the path to your browser). However it is easier to use free Shortcut Cleaner from BleepingComputer. Download it here – its FREE:
Final tips
Be careful surfing the internet and downloading software, as programs like Fast Package Tracker may become a real headache as they are hard to remove and break your privacy. To keep safe from such threats we recommend you always use antivirus and one of the anti-malware programs available on the market. One of the best anti-spyware and anti-malware programs is SpyHunter 5. It can protect your PC from threats, like Fast Package Tracker.